By Elliott West
“My best ever win”.
Judd Trump
Introduction
In what has been a highly entertaining Masters tournament this year and a cauldron of suspense that Alexandra Palace never fails to serve up, the London audience was superb, given an increased seating capacity of 2,000, engaged and constantly praised by the 16 players lucky enough to attend. Ticket availability quickly dwindled and despite the looming cloud of the match-fixing enquiry that led to the suspension and departure of Yan Bingtao and Zhao Xintong, the only reminder of their absence was Zhao’s image on the top 16 playing which couldn’t be removed from some of the WST advertising due to the lateness of his suspension.
This was a year where Ronnie O’Sullivan was touted as the favourite but in the end, it was Mark Williams who dashed his hopes. A year where Judd Trump won all his matches by the skin of his teeth. Yet in the end, it would be Trump and Williams who would contest the final after disappointing performances from Jack Lisowski and Stuart Bingham. Mark Williams definitely was the better of the two players to reach the final but in Trump’s book, a win is a win even if you play your C game to rack up victories.
Late Night Drama
This year’s final will definitely go in the history books as one of the best. Both Trump and Williams produced performances that were worthy of a royal command performance with Trump managing to hang on a resurgent Mark Williams’ coattails with a final poised nicely at 8-8. Judd was dogged despite losing his long ball game and Williams racked up the points that he won. With a possible three frames left, there was a chance that the snooker would interrupt Eurosport’s tennis coverage of the Australian Open from midnight, an embattled Judd brought the match back to his corner at 9-8, playing disciplined rather than naughty snooker.
With Trump only needing one frame to win his second Masters crown, the onus swung between both players as Williams attempted to take the match to a deciding frame. A daring long red by the Welshman would deny him the title and give his opponent his third Masters crown, his first title since winning the Turkish Masters. He wins the Paul Hunter Trophy and a cheque for £250,000. A celebration that although he wanted to revel in and “get smashed”, he now has to prepare for the looming Grand Prix that follows this event.
Afterthoughts
Judd Trump never lost the belief and it could so have been a different conclusion if Ryan Day had beaten him in his first match. Flanked by his father Steve, mother Georgina and brother Jack for the photo opportunity with the prized Waterford Crystal trophy, Judd was all smiles. A true champion because he fought back adversity and disbelief to win this title. Playing with a half tank of petrol, he still managed to snatch the keys to glory and slay the Welsh dragon that is Mark Williams, a player that is harder than Welsh slate itself. This 10-8 victory needed the grinding steel that was reminiscent of the Canadian great Cliff Thorburn who also won this tournament three times in 1983, 1985 and 1986, Mark Selby who won it in 2008, 2010 and 2013 and the late Paul Hunter who the trophy is dedicated to in 2001, 2002 and 2004. This is Judd’s second Masters’ title, the first coming in 2019.
Despite the confetti being cleared and the stage and table cleared from Alexandra Palace, this victory will be remembered for many years to come. This was determination personified, an Ace in a gold-plated pack who had originally led this match 4-1 but ended up going 7-6 and 8-7 down. His resilience in the last frames was heroic and he can be very proud of his efforts to win this coveted title that only a select few can say that they have got their hands on. A player with true self-belief who broke his opponent down. This is a new Judd Trump who now wins through thoughtful play and attrition. A definite favourite for this year’s World Championship.
